Trading the Sweat For the Screen: LBB AUNZ’s Favourite Sports Star Ads

In the grand and absurd theatre of advertising, few casting choices are as reliably engaging -- or perilous -- as the famous athlete.

When a sports star trades the sweat for the script, the grit of the arena must translate to the glow of the screen. In 2025, Australian and New Zealand marketing maestros banked on this crossover appeal.

But a medal on the track does not guarantee a podium finish in the ad break, with athletes often delivering wooden, unsure performances. But this is exactly what makes these kinds of ads memorable.

Did our sporting heroes transcend their ‘talking trophy’ status? Was there a glimmer of genuine comic timing, a credible everyman aura, or a moment of self-awareness?

From deadpan deliveries to unexpected thespian flourishes, here is LBB AUNZ’s utterly subjective ranking of our favourite appearances by an athlete in a 2025 TVC.

Alexander Volkanovski (MMA) -- Uber Eats

In 2025, ‘Volk’ became the UFC Featherweight champion, and the first male UFC fighter to win a title over the age of 35 between the flyweight and lightweight divisions. Now, just in time for the festive season, he has invited the Uber Eats team into his home and taken them around town to meet his equally cheeky family and friends.

Ezi Magbegor (Basketball) -- Nike

The Australian basketballer shone for Nike in ‘New Heroes’ this year, raising the profile of basketball and women’s sport with the legacy brand. In 2025, Ezi capped off her biggest season yet in the WNBA, playing more games than ever before for the Seattle Storm.

Heath Shaw (AFL) -- Toyota

The iconic ‘Legendary Moments’ campaign of the 2000s, featuring AFL greats reliving their career highlights,returned in 2025, with a series of spots featuring footballers and cricketers. But it was former Collingwood defender Heath Shaw who rose above the pack, re-enacting his famous smother from the 2010 AFL Grand Final.

Johnathan Brown and Jack Riewoldt (AFL) -- Kayo

Keen-eyed fans will notice contemporary players, including Brisbane’s Kai Lohmann and Charlie Cameron, in this Kayo spot. But retired greats Jonathan Brown and Jack Reiwoldt stole the show, stepping out of their comfort zones in a 70s-inspired musical number showcasing some serious hidden talent.

Katelyn Vaha’akolo (Rugby) -- 2degrees

New Zealand rugby fans might have missed the Kiwi Ferns star in this spot, with the international speedster providing her voice-over talents to the telco’s tale of a girl’s sports team, told through the eyes of a young player.

NSW Swifts (Netball) -- Suzuki

Suzuki steered away from blokey marketing this year, recognising there is no better partner for the Swift than the NSW Swifts themselves. Introducing the car as their new teammate (playing ‘road attack’) at a press conference are Swifts stars Helen Housby, Maddy Turner, and Maddy Proud, as well as coach Briony Akle.

A Sporting Smorgasboard -- Kia

Speaking of car ads, Kia’s ‘Tasman Town’ was a revelation in 2025, with a series of high-concept spots featuring Aussie athletes vying for naming rights for the new ute. Ash Barty’s new house gets renovated, and cricket legends Kerry “Skull” O’Keefe and David “Tugger” Boon room together on a cruise. It also features a cameo from Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, plus Alex Volkanovski (mixed martial arts), Lance "Buddy" Franklin (AFL), Alfie Langer (rugby league), David Boon (cricket), Pat Rafter (tennis), Erin Phillips (AFL, basketball), Luc Longley (basketball), Jessica Watson (sailing), and Dylan Alcott (tennis).

Pat Cummins (Cricket) -- Multiple

It would almost be easier to make a list of spots the Australian Men’s Test Cricket captain didn’t feature in, with 2025 proving he is likely Australia’s most marketable athlete. Perhaps more impressive, though, are Pat’s growing acting chops, with diverse work across genres demanding a fair bit of the fast-bowler. He was funny in Gillette’s Movember work, in which he imitated famous Aussie cricket moustaches; dramatic for Amazon Prime, in which he tries to review a parking ticket; and front and centre for two different Tourism Australia commercials, spruiking the country to Indian and English audiences.

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Marcus Bontempelli (AFL) -- Cash Converters

On the subject of acting chops, Aussie Rules cult-hero Marcus “Bonts” Bontempelli plays nearly a dozen versions for himself in Cash Converters’ vision of a completely trustworthy world (i.e., a world in which everyone is Bonts).

Sabrina Frederick (AFL) -- OPI

It was a big year for the growing AFLW, and American nail polish brand OPI could tell, leaning in and recruiting Collingwood forward Sabrina Frederick to front its Australian campaign, ‘What’s Your Colour’.

Pat Cummins, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sam Konstas, Alyssa Healy, Nathan Lyon (Cricket) -- Westpac

The most glorious spot of the year for Australian cricket fans featured national men’s and women’s players celebrating Westpac customers reaching their savings goals. Sure, it’s not quite Tim Paine’s, “Where are my… gloves!” for Alinta Energy, but cheesy cricket ads still have the lovely knack of ushering in the feeling of summer down under.